Method of and apparatus for operating aqua-ammonia engines



(No Model.)

G. L. HORAOK.

METHOD O AND APPARATUS FOR OPERATING AQUA AMMONIAENGINES. No. 493,722.Patented Mar. 21, 1893.

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Nix/Masses I" W Zwwzm/ 1 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CHARLES L. HORAOK, OF BROOKLYN, NEW YORK.

METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR OPERATING AQUA-AMMONIA ENGINES.

SFECIFIOATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 493,722, dated March21, 1893. Application filed January 2, 1890. Renewed May 11, 1892.Serial No. 432.576. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, CHARLES L. HORACK, a citizen of the United States,and a resident of Brooklyn, in the county of Kings and State of NewYorlghave invented certain new and useful Improvements in Methods of and Apparatus for Operating Aqua-Ammonia Engines,

V of which the following is a specification.

My invention refers to aqua ammonia engines, wherein ammonia gas isexpelled from aqua ammonia in aboiler or generator by heat, and the gasafter propelling the piston of an engine, is reabsorbed by liquidwithdrawn from such boiler and cooled, exhaust gas and absorbing liquidbeing thereupon returned jointly to such boiler or generator.

The objects of my invention are principally to improve the methods andthe means gen erally employed for properly reabsorbing the exhaust vaporof the engine and for reconducting the combined exhaust vapor andabsorbing liquid to such boiler, and also to properly regulate thepressure in the ammonia boiler. In order to accomplish these objects Iemploy artificial cold, which may be developed with the aid of ammoniagas generated in the same boiler in which the gas for propelling theengine is generated, for cooling the absorbing liquid, and forcoolingalso the combined exhaust gas and absorbing liquid, and I reabsorb suchcooling gas in the same apparatus in which absorption of the exhaust ofthe engine takes place. I, further, arrange to produce, eitherautomatically or otherwise, a pressure in the pipe carrying theabsorbing liquid to the spray jet, higher than the pressure imparted tosuch liquid direct by the boiler, and thereby an increased discharge ofliquid through such spray jet. I,further, provide, in case of excessivepressure in the ammonia boiler, automatically an additional amount ofcooling liquid for cooling and liquefying ammonia gas, which may be usedfor refrigeratingtheabsorbingliquid. Lfurther, arrange to absorb theexhaust vapor or gas of the engine by liquid discharged so as to form amist, or practically continuous body of finely divided or atomizedliquid reaching across the whole or a large part of a section of theexhaust pipe, as distinguished from the coarse distribution obtainedwith roseheads, spreader plates in front of the outlet or similardevices. I, further, secure proper and approximately uniform working ofall the parts of a surface condenser connected with the engine andacting as an absorber, by placing in the path of the absorbing liquidshelves or guides for conducting said liquid to all the tubes in theabsorber. I, further, prevent the formation of liquid seals in theabsorber by giving to its tubes such inclinations as will always securedrainage by gravity of the liquid from such tubes, even if the generalposition of the absorber should vary and depart from a level position,as will particularly occur on board of a ship. I, further, guard againstthe difficulties resulting from the accumulation of free ammonia gas inthe suction pipe, or near the delivery end of an aqua ammonia pump, byarranging to inject into the spaces occupied by such gas cooledabsorbing liquid. I, further regulate the vacuum in the exhaust pipe byproviding in communication with it a diaphragm, the expansion orcontraction of which, resulting from changes in the vacuum, operates avalve controlling the supply of absorbing liquid. I, further, guardagainst excessive pressure in the receiving well by providing similarappliances in combination with the vapor pipe which operates the feedpump. 1, further, provide for heating the combined exhaust vapor andabsorbing liquid, while passing from the feed pump to the boiler,bypassing the same through an equalizer, wherein gas, which is to beliquefied for refrigerating purposes as mentioned above, is deprived ofits heat. These and other features of my invention are more fullydescribed iu the following specifications and are set forth in theclaims.

In the accompanyingdrawings I have shown a in Figure l a side elevation,partly in section, of an ammonia engine apparatus constructed accordingto my invention. Fig. 2 represents, partly in section, the vertical viewof the spray nozzle employed by me and Fig. 3 the bottom view of suchnozzle, while Fig. 4 represents a vertical View partly in section of theapparatus for automatically regulating the amount of liquid dischargedinto the absorbing apparatus of the engine.

1 is a boiler wherein aqua ammonia is heated by steam circulatingthrough tubes 2, 2 such steam beingadmitted to chambers with which suchtubes connect, through a suitable inlet pipe 3 connecting with a steamboiler, such inlet pipe being provided with a gate valve 4. The steam isdischarged from such ammonia boiler through connection 5 having asuitable valve after the said steam has given up part of its heat to theaqua ammonia surrounding tubes 2, 2.

In the following description and claims the ammonia boiler will betermed the generator in order to distinguish it from a steam boiler, andas, as far as my invention is concerned, it is immaterial what form ofgenerator is used and Whatheating agent is employed in connectiontherewith,I would state that I do not intend to confine myself to theuse of such agenerator asis illustrated in the drawings. The gasexpelled from the aqua ammonia will fill the upper space of thegenerator and, gate valve 6 being open, will pass throughthe main vaporpipe '7 into the engine cylinder 9, after its throttle valve 8 has beenopened and, after propelling the piston in said cylinder, will pass intoexhaust pipe 10. From the lower part of the generator solution, weakenedby the expulsion of part of its gas, is conducted to the exhaust pipe 10through pipe 11, coil 12, pipe 13, coil 14, pipe 15, valve 16 and pipe17 being discharged into said exhaust pipe through jet 18, for thepurpose of meeting there the exhaust vapor of the engine and absorbingpart of thesaine, the gas still remaining free after such discharge ofthe absorbing liquid being disposed of and absorbed by bringing the sameas well as the absorbingliquid in contact with proper cooling surfacesas described hereinafter.

It is well known that absorption of ammonia gas by Weak solution willtake place more readily, the lower the temperature of such solution is,hence the vacuum obtained on the piston of the engine cylinder will beimproved as such temperature is lowered and I therefore make specialprovision for cooling the absorbing liquid as follows:

19 is a coiled pipe which receives ammonia gas under generator pressurefrom main vapor pipe 7 when cook or valve 120 is open, and as saidcoiled pipe within reservoirs 20 and 21 is surrounded by cooling liquid,as specified below,the gas within such coil becomes liquefied and, beingpermitted to escape through a small aperture 22 into reservoir 23 againassumes the gaseous form and in doing so takes up the latent heat ofvaporization, which it had previously surrendered in reservoirs 20 and21.

24 is a valve or cook for regulating the flow of liquefied gas throughaperture 22. The method of liquefying ammonia gas expelled from aquaammonia in a generator, by cooling it while under generator pressure andreexpanding it again for purposes of refrigeration as described abovedoes not differ from that employed heretofore in absorptionrefrigerating apparatus, but the combination of such apparatus with anaqua ammonia engine as employed by me covers various novel features. Theabsorbing liquid which circulates through coil 14, as mentioned above,will furnish the latent heat of vaporization to the ammonia gas inreservoir 23, within which said coil is located, and may thus be reducedto a very low temperature, particularly also as provision is made togive such absorbing liquid a preliminary cooling while passing throughcoil 12 in reservoir 25 the feed liquid which in a comparatively coolcondition is being made to surround such coil while returning to thegenerator as mentioned more fully hereinafter. In addition to using thefeed liquid as cooling medium for the absorbing liquid, or in place ofsuch liquid, cooling water might be used to lower the temperature of theabsorbing liquid sufliciently, so as to finally apply to best advantagethe artificial cold produced, to the absorbing liquid while passingthrough coil 14. As the absorbing liquid while in transit from thegenerator to the exhaust pipe will always contain a certain amount ofammonia gas held in physical absorption, said liquid will have itsfreezing point considerably below that of water, and no danger istherefore to be anticipated as far as the freezing of the liquid in thepipe is concerned, particularly also as the same is kept moving underpressure, cook 26 being provided to shut off the supply upon stoppingthe engine, While thereupon pump 27 may be used to clear such system ofpiping of liquid. Said pump 27 is provided principally for the purposeof producing at the spray jet 18, when desired,a pressure greater thanthat produced in the generator, and is so connected with the main vaporpipe 7 as to cause an increased flow of absorbing liquid to theabsorbers and toward the generator, While at the same time furnishingadditional cooling liquid for the purpose of lowering the temperature ofsuch absorbing liquid, thereby making it more capable of reducing thepressure in the generator when it again reaches the same.

28 is the vapor cylinder of pump 27 while 29 is a cylinder for pumpingabsorbing liquid and 30 is a cylinder for pumping water, the pistons ofthe three cylinders being connected so as to move together and the areaof the piston in cylinder 29 being smaller than that in cylinder 28, soas to produce a greater pressure in the discharge pipe in cylinder 29than exists in vapor pipe 31 which conveys the vapor for operating pump27 to it from main vapor pipe 7. The suction pipe 32 as well as thedischarge pipe 33 of cylinder 29 connect with pipe 13. The check valve34 is placed in pipe 13 between the points Where pipes 32 and 33 connectwith the same. Said valve is adjusted so as to become closed when pump27 is set in motion and thereby pressure is produced in pipe 33exceeding that in 32, and consequently the pressure at the spray jet 18and the amount of liquid discharged from it may thus, by the action ofpump 27, be increased beyond that which would be obtained there fromdirect generator pressure.

35 is a cock in pipe 31 and must be kept open while automatic startingand stopping of pump 28 are desired.

36 is a weighted valve in pipe 31 so adjusted as to open when a givenexcessive pressure is reached in pipe 7, thereby starting pump 27 andincreasing the flow of absorbing liquid, as described. The watercylinder 30 through its discharge pipe 37 forces cooling water-intoreservoir 21 thus facilitating the liquefaction of gas in coil 19 and tothat extent also relieving the generator. Said discharge pipe mighthoweverinstead be connected with any other part of the apparatus whereinit would serve as a cooling medium for the absorbing liquid or for thesaid liquid combined with the exhaust vapor of the engine. If it bedesired to operate pump 27 before excessive pressure is reached in thegenerator, it is only necessary to detach the weight from valve 36.

While the discharge nozzle 18 might be constructed as a rose-head orwith an unobstructed outlet, and in the latter case might be providedwith a spreader plate for distributing the liquid while impinging uponsuch plate, my preferred form of a spray nozzle is constructed asfollows:-Within the casing 102 is placed the tongue 38, suspended from apivot at the lower extremity of pin 39, which pin is screwed into casing102 from above, as shown. Said tongue is constructed wedgeshaped at itslower end, the surfaces forming said wedge being made approximatelyparallel with the parts of the walls of spray jet 18 facing the same. Inconsequence a stream of absorbing liquid will pass out of nozzle 18 oneach side of tongue 38 and said streams will meet outside of said nozzleand being discharged under great pressure will meet and impinge uponeach other with great force, so as to fill the whole section of exhaustpipe 10 with fine mist, which, particularly if cooled to atemperatureartificially low, will promptly absorb a large amount of exhaust vapor,carrying with it, by adhesion, the vapor still remaining free, towardcooling surfaces provided as described hereinafter.

40, 40 are springs intended to steady tongue 38. If an obstructionshould occur on either side of said tongue, owing to foreign substancessuch as scale from the generator becoming lodged there,the pressurebehind such substances Will force the same out of the nozzle, deflectingsidewise if necessary the tongue 38 until the outlet or outlets areagain clear, when the springs 40,48 will again force said tongue backinto its original position. If an increase or a reduction in the size ofthe outlet oroutlets should be desired, it is only necessary to screwupward or downward the pin 39 and with it tongue 38 suspended from it.It will readily be seen that a similar result would be obtained as faras the distribution of the liquid is concerned, if the nozzle 18 werepro wvith cooling water, each section vided with a circular outlet andthe lower end of tongue 38 were made conical. In the case of a largeexhaust pipe a series of nozzles as described might be employed in orderto secure proper distribution of the liquid.

41 is a pipe carrying the ammonia gas expanded in reservoir 23 to coil42 placed in the exhaust pipe underneath spray jet 18, the gas thenbeing made to pass through pipe 43 into the lower part of receiving well44 where it is absorbed by the combined absorbing liquid and exhaustvapor of the engine, aided if necessary by further absorbing liquidintroduced into said well through a branch pipe from pipe 15 said branchpipe 45, 46 terminating in a nozzle 47 in the upper part of the well, soas to discharge the liquid, preferably in a fine spray, in the body ofunabsorbed gas which after forcing its way upward through the liquid inthe lower part of the well would gather there.

48 is a cook or valve for regulating the amount of absorbing liquid sodischarged. The nozzle 47 had best be constructed similar to nozzle 18and the pressure in the well might be regulated by means of a diaphragmsubject to the pressurein the well and operating a supply valve, thesame as described below with reference to regulating the pressure in theexhaust pipe of the main engine.

Owing to the fact that when the refrigerating gas leaves reservoir 23 itwill still have a low temperature, I make use of it for cooling thecombined absorbing liquid and exhaust vapor in exhaust pipe 10 bydirecting the said liquid and the gas carried along by adhesion, orotherwise drawn or forced downward through said exhaust pipe, toward thecoils of coiled pipe 42. The liquid so dripping from coil to coil, orwhile passing downward along said coils, will be relieved of part of theheat of absorbtion evolved upon meeting of gas and liquid and thusfurther absorption will be made possible and will be accomplished. Thisheat of absorption which is always developed upon the mixing of ammoniagas and water or weak aqua ammonia, forms the greatest obstacle toprompt absorption of all the exhaust vapor and hence to the obtaining ofa good vacuum, as by such heat gas will again be set free and will havea tendency to rise again in the exhaust pipe.

While the use of very cool absorbing liquid and of refrigerating gas ascooling medium in the cooling pipes nearest to the absorbing jet willovercome this difiiculty in a great measure, it is desirable to makeprovision for further absorption and with the aid of less expensivecooling fluid than used in artificial refrigeration. For such purpose Iprovideabsorber 49 constructed similar to a surface condenser andconstructed so as to have the absorbing liquid and exhaust vapor passsuccessively through sections of tubes in contact containing severalrows of lateral tubes. The tendency of the liquid passing downwardthrough exhad best be widened gradually so as to ap-v haust pipe 10 willbe to flow through the lowest tubes in each section, while the tendencyof any free gas entering the absorber will natu rally be to fill theupper tubes in each section and this separation of liquid and vapor willhave a tendency to retard and temporarily defeat absorption, which mustbe accomplished while liquid and gas are in immediate contact.

In order to make the various rows of tubes in each section performproportionate service, I provide in absorber 49 the rows of tubes whichconnect directly with the exhaust pipe 10, with aprons projecting intothe path of said two fluids, so as to catch and convey proportionateamounts of the two fluids to said rows of tubes.

50 and 51 are the aprons supplying the rows of tubes indicated by 52 and53, while the lower curved inner wall of the exhaust pipe 10 performslike service for row of tubes 54. The vertical part of the exhaust pipeis generally much narrower than the part of absorber 49 which containsthe upper section of tubes, hence the curved part of the exhaust pipecontaining the aprons mentioned above proximate the width of theabsorber where it is joined to the same, the aprons extending the fullwidth of said widened exhaust pipe.

55is a vertical chamber through which the liquid, after leaving tubes52, 53, 54 must drop in order to reach rows of tubes 56, 57, 58. Theshelves 59, 60, 61 and 62 in said chamber are provided in order to giveto rows of tubes56, 57 and 58 proportionate amounts of liquid. 59 isplaced directly underneath the outflow ends of row of tubes 52 and 60underneath those of tubes 53, both said shelves being made to slopedownward from said tubes, although they might instead be madehorizontal. Shelf or apron 61 is placed underneath the inflow ends ofthe tubes 56 and apron 62 underneath those of tubes 57, bothslopingupwardfromsaidinflowends. Apron 59 extends to the right beyond62; 62 extends beyond 60, and 60 beyond 61, so that liquid passing outof tubes 52 will be conducted by apron 59 to the lower part of chamber55 where it will enter tubes 58, While liquid from tubes 53 will beconducted by apron 60 so as to drop down upon apron 62 and to enter fromthere tubes 57, while liquid flowing out of tubes 54 will fall uponapron 61 and from there enter into tubes 56. While dropping downward inchamber 55 the liquid will pick up such gas as may exist there in a freecondition and will either absorb it or carry it along into the lowersection of tubes.

Rows of tubes 52, 53, 54 are shown to slope downward from the exhaustpipe 10, while rows of tubes 56, 57, 58 slope downward toward pipe 63which pipe withdraws .the contents of absorber 49 to well 44, which wellit enters near its bottom and below its liquid line. Giving the tubesinclined positions as indicated will facilitate the drainage of the 'tothe left along tubes 52, 53, 54.

liquid through the same when the main body of the absorber is in itsusual vertical position. Such arrangement also has the further advantagethat, where the main exhaust pipe and with it the absorber temporarilydepart from their vertical position, as will happen on board of a shipwhen not on an even keel or when rolling, the rows of tubes, even if notmaintaining as sloped positions as indicated on the drawings will stillbe capable of draining the liquid from the exhaust pipe 10 and towardthe pipe 63, while, ifthe pipes were originally placed in horizontalpositions, the same might thus temporarily assume positions slopingupward from said exhaust pipe, and downward from pipe 63, whereby liquidseals would be formed at the inlets to the tubes, preventing the freeflow or passage of the gas with the absorbing liquid into and throughsaid tubes on their way toward well 44. To further promote absorption awater pipe 65 passes through the well in the form of a coil, the waterafterward entering absorber 49 through pipe 66 and leaving it throughpipe 68.

67 is a division plate in the water space of the absorber extending fromits left end to near its right end, so as to compel the passage of thecooling water in the absorber first to the right along tubes 56, 57, 58and afterward 64is a cock for regulating this water supply.

In pipe 63 a vacuum pump might be placed for withdrawingliquid and gasfrom absorber 49 and forcing it into well 44. thus further aidingabsorption therein by compression.

69 is a branch pipe of 41 and is provided with a cock 70, while 71 is abranch pipe of pipe 43 and is provided with a cook 72. These branchpipes are provided for the purpose of substituting water as coolingmedium in coil 42 instead of refrigerating gas, when it is desired totemporarily do away with operating the refrigerating apparatus. In suchcase cook 24, and cook 103 in pipe 43 would have to be closed and cooksand 72 would have to be opened, pipe 69 beingmade to connect with anysuitable water supply.

76 is a feed pump and water pump combined which obtains its supply ofvapor for operating it through pipe 84 connecting with pipe 7 anddischarges its exhaust vapor through pipe 85 into the upper part of well44 and near nozzle 47, the liquid distributed by such nozzle aiding inits absorption.

86 is the exhaust pipe of pump 27 and is made to enter the lower part ofabsorber 49,

haust pipe 10, which vacuum will affect and correspondingly regulate thevacuum in the engine cylinder, I regulate the discharge of said liquidinto pipe 10 automatically as described hereinafter, an apparatus asdescribed for such purpose being applicable whetheror not such liquid ismade to pass through pump 27. A pipe 87 is made to branch out from mainexhaust pipe and is closed at its enlarged end by a diaphragm 88. Thehinged lever 89 attached to and moving with said flexible diaphragm alsoconnects with and regulates the movement of stem 90 of valve 16 throughwhich the absorbing liquid circulates. Said valve is preferablyconstructed as a balanced valve as shown, so as to be independentin itsmovements of the pressure existing within pipe and is similar in itsconstruction and connections to throttle valves used in air compressors,where the pressure of the compressed air regulates the quantity of steamsupplied to the steam cylinder. Said valve 16 is arranged so that itswater way and consequently its discharge of liquid into pipe 17 will bereduced when' its stem is moved downward and that said waterway will beincreased when the stem with the disks attached to it within said valve,moves upward. The inherent spring power of diaphragm 88 has a tendencyto resist any pressure upon it in a downward direction, while the weight91 near the lower end of lever 89 has a tendency to counteract theupward force of said diaphragm. The operation of the two forces combinedwill prevent any violent agitations of the diaphragm and consequently ofthe working parts of valve 16 when changes 1 of pressure take placewithin the exhaust pipe and consequently within pipe 87. The valve 16having been so adjusted by properly locating weight 91 on lever 89 as toallow under the pressure ordinarily existing in pipe 15 the passage ofan amount of absorbing liquid through it just sufficient to produce thedesired vacuum in pipes 10 and 87, any reduction of the pressure withinsaid pipes will cause the outer atmosphere to force diaphragm 88 inward,thereby lowering lever 89 and with it the valve stem 90 and the diskscontrolling the water-way so as to reduce the latter, thus preventingthe discharge through nozzle 18 of more absorbing liquid than thecircumstances call for. On the other hand, if an increase of pressure inpipes 10 and 87 should take place the diaphragm will thereby be forcedoutward and consequently valve 16 will be so affected thereby as toincrease its water way until the pressure in the exhaust pipe is againreduced. Pipe 87 might be made to branch out from exhaust pipe 10 at anysuitable point and particularly above the spray jet. The diaphragm mightalso be attached to pipe 10 direct, and instead of said diaphragm apiston might be used.

In case the pump 27 be employed regularly for forcing the absorbingliquid toward noz zle 18, the diaphragm 88 might be made to regulate ina corresponding manner the passage of vapor through the throttle valveof said pump, instead of agitating liquid valve 16. Valve 16 and itsconnections might be so adjusted as to close entirely after a nearlyperfect vacuum in pipe 10 had been obtained after stoppage of theengine. It is also important to guard against excessive pressure in well44 which might occurif liquid and gas were continuouslycarried into it,without providing proper relief by withdrawing from it a sufficientquantity of the saturated solution. To guard against such difficulties Iregulate such pressure, by increasing or decreasing the speed of feedpumps 77, 78 in accordance with the pressure existing in the well. Theapparatus employed by me for such purpose corresponds closely with thatdescribed above for regulating the discharge of the absorbing liquid andis constructed as follows: 92 is a pipe connecting with the interior ofwell 44 and is provided with flexible diaphragm 93, which will be forcedoutward as the pressure in the well increases and will lift the hingedlever 94 attached to it, which lever through valve stem 95 regulates themovement of the working parts of valve 96 in vapor supply pipe 84 offeed pump 76, so as to increase the vapor way of said valve, therebyincreasing the performance of the pump in withdrawing liquid from thewell. In an analogous way the performance of the pump will be reduced byreducing the supply offvapor to said pump, as the pressure in the wellgoes down.

It frequently happens that the suction pipe of a pump taking its supplyof liquid from a well containing aqua ammonia, such as cylinder 77 ofthefeed pump contain entrapped therein unabsorbed gas to such an extentas to form a gas seal, which will prevent liquid from entering the pumpcylinder and will thus interrupt the operation of the pump. To overcomethis difficulty I provide pipe 97 which connects the suction pipe '75 ofsaid pump with pipe 45 containing the cooled absorbing liquid underpressure. In said pipe 97 I place cocks 98 and 99. The check valve 74between pipes 73 and 75 is adjusted to close toward the well 44, andwhen saidcocks are opened the absorbing liquid, previously cooled so asto possess great absorbing power will be forced into that partof thesuction pipe near the pump which contains said free gas and by absorbingsaid gas will again permit the pump to operate. Valve 74 will preventthe passage of such absorbing liquid to well 44. If free gas shouldreach the delivery end of the pump and there interfere with itsoperation in a similar manner as air frequently does in water pumps, Idispose of it in a manner corresponding with that described above byintroducing the cool absorbing liquid there from pipe 97 through pipe99, opening for such purpose cock 100. Ordinarily cocks 98 and 100 willbe kept closed until absorption of such free gas becomes necessary. Cock99 is only provided to permit using pipe 97 as a chamber in which freegas from the suction pipe may accumulate, cock 98 being then open, untilfinally such gas is disposed of by opening cock 99. 101 is the weightonlever 94. The feed pump forces the combined absorbing liquid andexhaust vapor, now forming a strong solution, through pipe 80, reservoir25, pipe 81, reservoir 20 and pipe 82 back into the generator, 83 beinga suitable check valve for retaining the liquid in the generator. Inreservoir 25 the feed liquid has imparted to it part of the heat of theabsorbing liquid and in reservoir 20 part of the heat contained in theammonia gas which is to be used for refrigerating purposes, thus turningto useful account heat which would otherwise have to be wasted. It. willreadily be seen that instead of bringing the absorbing liquid, and thecombined absorbing liquid and exhaust vapor, in direct contact withpassages containing the refrigerating gas as described above, brinemight be used, as is frequently done in similar apparatus, as anintermediary between the refrigerating gas and the fluids to berefrigerated, without affecting the nature of my invention or theintended scope of such of the following claims as make reference to suchsubject.

I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent- 1. The methodherein described of heating aqua ammonia,using part of the gas soevolvedfor propelling an engine, compressing and cooling another part of saidgas in a bypass around the engine, allowing it to expand afterwardtherein, thus producing artificial cold, for the purpose of therebycooling liquid to be used for absorbing the exhaust vapor of saidengine, substantially as set forth.

2. The method herein described of heating aquaammonia, using part of thegas so evolved for propelling an engine, compressing and cooling anotherpart of said gas in a by-pass around the engine, allowing it toafterward expand therein thus producing artificial cold, cooling therebyliquid to be used for absorb ing the exhaust vapor of said engine,reabsorbing the exhaust vapor from the engine and the gas used forrefrigerating the absorbing liquid in the same absorbing apparatus andforcing the same jointly back into the generator, wherein the ammoniagas was evolved, substantially as set forth.

3. The method herein described of operating an aqua ammonia engine byvapor developed by heating aqua ammonia in a generator, and absorbingthe exhaust vapor of the engine by liquid withdrawn from said generator,said absorbing liquid being lowered in temperature first by bringing thepipe containing it in contact with cooling water and by afterwardpassing it through a chamber in such proximity or relation to that partof a bypass around the engine wherein ammonia gas from the generatorafter having been liquetied is expanded, so as to impart the artificialcold of such gas to the absorbing liquid, substantially as set forth.

4. The method herein described of operating an aqua ammonia engine byvapor developed in a generator, and absorbing the exhaust vapor of saidengine by liquid withdrawn from said generator, said absorbing liquidbeing lowered in temperature by passing it through a chamber in suchrelation or proximity to a column of ammonia gas expanded after havingbeen liquefied and being continuous between the generator and theabsorber, as to impart the artificial cold of such gas to said absorbingliquid, substantially as set forth.

5. The method herein described of absorbing the exhaust vapor of anammonia engine and absorbing ammonia gas expanded for purposes ofrefrigeration by bringing absorbing liquid withdrawn from the generator,and cooled, first in contact with the exhaust vapor from the engine, andafterward bringing the combined absorbing liquid and exhaust vapor incontact with the ammonia gas expanded for purposes of refrigeration,substantially as set forth.

6. The method herein described of absorbing the exhaust vapor of anammonia engine and absorbing ammonia gas expanded for purposes ofrefrigeration, which consists in first bringing absorbing liquid incontact with the exhaust vapor from the engine, then passing thecombined absorbing liquid and exhaust vapor through an absorber and insuch proximity or relation to the passages wherein ainmonia gas from thegenerator is expanded after having been cooled, as to have theartificial cold so produced serve as cooling agent in said absorber andfinally bringing the combined exhaust vapor and spraying liquid incontact with the ammonia gas so expanded for purposes of refrigeration,substantially as set forth.

7. The method herein described of developing ammonia gas by heating aquaammonia in a generator, passing part of said gas through an enginecylinder for propelling its piston, liquefying another part of said gasby cooling it under pressure, allowing it to expand for purposes ofrefrigeration, absorbing the exhaust from the engine and the gasexpanded for purposes of refrigeration by liquid withdrawn from thegenerator and cooled, passing the absorbing liquid combined with theexhaust of the engine and with such gas previously used forrefrigeration back into the generator and using such combined gas andliquid as a cooling medium in said liquefaction while on their way tothe generator, substantially as set forth.

8. The method herein described of developing ammonia gas by heating aquaammonia in a generator, liquefying gas so generated by cooling it whileunder pressure, allowing it to expand for purposes of refrigeration,absorbin g the expanded gas by liquid withdrawn from the generator andcooled, and employing the combined gas and absorbing liquid as a coolingmedium in said liquefaction, prior to forcing the same back into thegenerator, substantially as set forth.

9. The method herein described of liquefying ammonia gas, using it whileexpanding as cooling medium for the absorbing liquid of an ammoniaengine and conducting such gas ICO through pipes draining toward areceiving well, for the purpose of absorbing it therein, substantiallyas set forth.

10. The method herein described of absorbing the exhaust vapor of anaqua ammonia engine by liquid discharged under pressure from one or moreoutlets under such directions, as to make different currents of saidliquid impinge upon each other under pressure outside of said outlet oroutlets, for the purpose of dispersing, or of atomizing, said absorbingliquid in the passage through which the exhaust vapor flows,substantially as set forth.

11. The method herein described of absorbing the exhaust vapor of anammonia engine, which consists in reducing the absorbing liquid intemperature by conveying it through passages cooled artificially anddischarging it into the absorbing apparatus from one or more outlets insuch directions as to make different currents of said liquid impingeupon each other under pressure outside of said outlet or outlets,substantially as set forth.

12. The method herein described of absorbing the exhaust vapor of anammonia engine, which consists in bringing said vapor in contact withabsorbing liquid dispersed in the form of a spray and conveying thecombined absorbing liquid and exhaust vapor through an absorber providedwith lateral tubes, after first dividing said liquid and vapor carriedalong by adhesion, for the purpose of making said tubes performproportionate amounts of absorption, substantially as set forth.

13. The method herein described of absorbing the exhaust vaporof anammonia engine, which consists in bringing said vapor in contact withabsorbing liquid and conveying absorbing liquid and exhaust vaporthrough rows of lateral tubes in an absorber, after first dividing saidliquid and vapor carried along by adhesion, for the purpose of makingall said rows of tubes perform mixing of liquid and vapor, andabsorption, substantially as set forth.

14. j The method herein described of absorbing the exhaust vapor of anammonia engine, which consists in bringing the exhaust vapor in contactwith absorbing liquid and carrying the two combined through an absorberprovided with tubes inclined downward so as to drain the resultingliquid from said absorber, substantially as set forth.

15. The method herein described of converting the liquid pressure at theabsorbing jet of an ammonia engine from generator pressure intopump-pressure, by passing such liquid through a pump placed in a by-passaround a suitable valve located in the pipe leading from the generatorto the absorbing jet, substantially as set forth.

16. The method herein described of forcing absorbing liquidautomatically, upon excessive pressure in the generator, toward suitablecooling appliances prior to returning it to said generator, whichconsists in automatically opening a valve, for conducting vapor from thegenerator through such valve to the vapor cylinder of a pump, placed ina pipe withdrawing liquid from the generator and conducting it to a jetwhich discharges it into such cooling appliances, substantially as setforth.

17. The method herein described of automatically increasing the supplyof cooling liquid for purposes of liquefaction of ammonia gas andrefrigeration resulting therefrom as the pressure in the generator andwith it the amount of gas subject to liquefaction increases, whichconsists in automatically opening a valve for conduct-ing vapor from.the same source from which the gas for cooling purposes is withdrawn, tothe vapor cylinder of a pump, the water cylinder of such pump being madeto discharge thereupon cooling liquid into passages in contact with thegas in process of liquefaction, substantially as set forth.

18. The method herein described of relieving the suction pipe of an aquaammonia pump of free ammonia gas, which consists in discharging intosuch suction pipe absorbing liquid withdrawn from the generator andcooled, while such free gas remains confiined in said suction pipe,substantially as set forth.

19. The method herein described of relieving the suction pipe of an aquaammonia pump of free ammonia gas, which consists in discharging intosaid suction pipe absorbing liquid cooled artificially while keepingsuch gas confined between the pump and a suitable valve substantially asset forth.

20. The method herein described of relieving the discharge pipe of anaqua ammonia pump or of relieving such pump of free gas, which consistsin introducing into said pump at or near the point where in a water pumpthe air-cock is usually located, absorbing liquid under pressure,substantially as set forth.

21. The method herein described of relieving the discharge end of anaqua ammonia pump of free gas, by introducing into it absorbing liquid,refrigerated, substantially as set forth.

22. The method herein described of regulating, in an ammonia engineapparatus, the supply of absorbing liquid to the sprayjet in accordancewith the pressure existing in the exhaust pipe of the engine, whichconsists in converting an increase or decrease of pressure in theexhaust pipe into motion of a valve located in or connected with thepipe containing the spray jet, whereby such increase or decrease ofpressure will increase or decrease the quantity of liquid passing to thespray jet, substantially as set forth.

23. The method herein described of regulating in an ammonia engineapparatus, the supply of absorbing liquid to the spray jetin accordancewith the pressure existing in the absorbing apparatus of the engine,which consists in converting an increase of pressure in the absorbingapparatus into motion of a IIO Valve located in or connected with thepipe containing the spray jet, thereby increasing or decreasing theeffective water way for supplying the spray jet, substantially as setforth.

24. The method herein described of regulating the amount of saturatedliquid in the receiving Well of an ammonia engine apparatus, whichconsists in converting an increase or decrease of pressure therein intomotion of a valve controlling the supply of vapor for operating the feedpump, thereby increasing or decreasing the vapor passages in the pipesupplying the feed pump, as the pressure in said well increases ordecreases, substantially as set forth.

25. The method herein described of absorbing the exhaust vapor in anammonia engine apparatus, which consists in discharging absorbing liquidwithdrawn from the generator and cooled toward the coils of an absorbercontaining cooling fluid and surrounded by the exhaust vapor, andcarrying vapor and absorbing liquid combined afterward laterally anddownward along other cooling surfaces toward a receiving well,substantially as set forth.

26. In an ammonia engine apparatus a pipe conveying absorbing liquidfrom the generator, to the spray jet in the absorbing apparatus, asuitable valve placed in said pipe, and a by-pass around said valve andcontaining a pump, the suction end being connected with the aforesaidpipe between said valve and said generator, and its discharge end beingconnected with a pipe discharging into the absorbing apparatus, allcombined substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

27. In the absorbing apparatus of an aqua ammonia engine a pipe leadingfrom the liquid space of a generator along cooling surfaces into apassage conveying the exhaust vapor of the engine, such pipe beingprovided with a nozzle 18 having two outlet passages converging toward apoint outside of said nozzle, all combined substantially as and for thepurposes set forth.

28. In the absorbing apparatus of an ammonia engine a discharge nozzlefor the absorbing liquid consisting of casing 102, tongue 38 suspendedwithin said casing and springs 40, 40 for centering said tongue,substantially as set forth.

29. In the absorbing apparatus of an aqua ammonia engine, in combinationWith the engine cylinder and its exhaust pipe, a pipe conveyingabsorbing liquid from the generator to said exhaust pipe, a jet fordistributing such liquid therein laterally and a coil through whichcooling fluid circulates,such coil being placed in the path of theexhaust vapor of the engine and of the absorbing liquid so discharged,substantially as set forth.

30. In the absorbing apparatus of an aqua ammonia engine in combinationwith ajet discharging within it absorbing liquid, two absorbers forsuccessively cooling the combined exhaust vapor and absorbing liquidwhile in transit toward a receiving well, one of said absorbersreceivingits cooling medium from an apparatus producing artificialrefrigeration, and the other having circulating through it coolingwater, substantially as set forth.

31. In the absorbing apparatus of an aqua ammonia engine an absorberplaced in the path of the combined exhaust vapor and absorbingliquidwithdrawnfrom the generator, the cooling passages of such. absorberbeing provided with two separate inlets and two separate out-lets allhaving suitable valves, one of said inlets and one of said outletsconnecting with an artificial refrigerating apparatus and the otherinlet connecting with a water pipe, substantially as set forth.

32. In the absorbing apparatus of an aqua ammonia engine the combinationwith a nozzle discharging absorbing liquid between the exhaust ports ofthe engine and tubes of an absorber, and a plate or plates placed in thepath of such liquid, for the purpose of diverting such liquid to saidtubes and distributing it among the same, substantially as set forth.

In the absorbing apparatus of an aqua ammonia engine the combination ofa pipe conveying absorbing liquid to a jet, with an absorber havingsections of lateral tubes through which the liquid passes successively,together with a vertical chamber into which one section of tubesdischarges the liquid and gas passing through the same and from whichanother section of tubes withdraws such liquid and gas, and plates insaid chamber placed underneath and projecting beyond the outlets of thefirst named section, and other plates in said chamber placed underneathand projecting beyond aforesaid plates and connecting with, or leadingto the inlets of the tubes in the second section, for the purpose ofdistributingliquid afterits passage through the first section amongthetubes, and therows of tubes, of the subsequent section, allsubstantially as specified.

34. In an aqua ammonia engine apparatus the combination with an aquaammonia pump, of its suction pipe, a check valve 74 in said pipe and apipe 97 with proper valve, for the purpose of forcing absorbing liquidthrough it into the part of the suction pipe between said check valveand said pump so as to close said valve, for the absorption of free gascontained in such part of the suction pipe, substantially as set forth.

35. In an ammonia engine apparatus in combination with a pipe conveyingabsorbing liquid from the generator to the absorbing jet, a chamber 87connecting with the interior of the absorbing apparatus, diaphragm 88forming part of said chamber, lever 89 connected with said diaphragm andoperating valve 16 for automatically adjusting the amount of absorbingliquid introduced into the absorbing apparatus through pipe 17,substantially as set forth.

36. In an aqua ammonia engine apparatus in combination with a pipeconveying absorbing liquid from the generator to the absorbingapparatus, a chamber 92 connecting with the interior of the receivingwell and closed by diaphragm 93 forming part of such chamber, lever 94connecting with said diaphragm and operating valve 96 within vapor pipe84 of pump 76, which pump regulates the amount of liquid stored in saidwell, substantially as set forth.

37. In the absorbing apparatus of an aqua ammonia engine a pipeconveying to it absorbing liquid from the generator, and spray nozzle 18discharging such liquid into the exhaust pipe of the engine outwardtoward the coils of cooling pipe 42, substantially as set forth.

38. In an aqua ammonia engine apparatus, in combination with a generatorwherein vapor of ammonia is expelled from aqua ammonia by heat, anengine propelled by such vapor, a pipe leading from the liquid space ofthe generator to the suction end of a pump, said pump, its discharge endbeing connected with a discharge nozzle placed between the exhaust portsof the engine and a receiving well, and cooling surfaces along whichsaid liquid circulates while in transit from the generator to said well,substantially as set forth.

39. In an aqua ammonia engine apparatus, in combination with a generatorwherein vapor of ammonia is expelled from aqua am- CHAS. L. HORAGK.

Witnesses:

RUFUS M. WILLIAMS, BRADBURY WILLIAMS.

